Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 15: An Apology

Peter felt dazed for a second. He luckily broke his fall with his hands before ending up with a mouthful of snow. He quickly turned over and looked up. The sun was glinting through the branches of the pine trees, making it difficult to clearly see the figure in front of him. Peter put one hand up, shading his eyes. Just then, the figure pounced on top of him, knocking him down on his back.

"Gotcha!" Lisbeth laughed as the straddled Peter. "You thought it was going to be easy to catch me, didn't you?" She obviously enjoyed her little trick. "Looks like I got you instead."

Peter frowned. "You scared me half to death! I didn't know where you were!"

But Lisbeth kept on giggling. "Isn't that sort of the point? Don't be a sore loser now, Peter. I was just having a bit of fun. Admit it... you had fun too."

Peter's demeanor slowly improved watching her revel in her little triumph. He suddenly pulled her down over him, startling her. Her hat came loose and fell on the ground, next to her. Lisbeth gave out a little gasp of surprise, but then pressed her cheek to his chest.

"I can hear your heart beating," she whispered while they both lay there quietly.

She then lifted her head up and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"I'm sorry I worried you," she murmured.

Peter ran a through her hair, caressing it and curling a chestnut tress around his finger.

"It's alright... just don't do it again," he answered right before kissing her again.

"I won't. Cross my heart and hope to die," Lisbeth swore in earnest.

Peter smiled at her. "This is nice," he said while wrapping his arms around her warm body. "I could stay like this forever."

Lisbeth chuckled. "Mmm... maybe not right here, on the frozen ground, in the woods." She looked up at him grinning. "But I definitely like the way this feels."

"Perhaps we should go to a warmer place," Peter arched an eyebrow suggestively.

"Perhaps..." Lisbeth gave him a mischievous smile and then stood up, shaking her skirt of leaves and dirt. She held her hand out to Peter who grabbed it and got up as well.

"No more chasing you back to the sleigh," Peter said semi-seriously. "I think I have to keep an eye on you at all times, young lady."

They walked out of the woods holding hands. Bruno spotted them in the distance and neighed.

"Looks like Bruno's ready to go back home," Peter said.

"Then I guess we shouldn't make him wait too long," Lisbeth noted.

They returned to Rakoczy manor in the middle of the afternoon. Peter saw that his sisters and nieces hadn't returned from town yet. He helped Lisbeth out of the sleigh.

"Could I ask you to do something for me?" She said as she linked her arm through his.

"Of course. What is it?"

"Could you play something on the piano? I love listening to you."

"It would be my pleasure," Peter answered flattered by her request.

Inside the manor, they were greeted by a maid who took their coats, hats and scarves away. Her name was Xenia and she was a young girl from a nearby village. She had worked for them for the past year and was usually friendly and chatty, even with her employers. When Peter made eye contact with her, the maid immediately looked away. Did he detect either a note of embarrassment or fear in her eyes?